Gordon Biersch Brewery has closed its Tempe location, according to the Arizona Republic.

The brewery restaurant, which has been a staple of Mill Avenue for more than 20 years, shut its doors July 7. The restaurant’s parent company told the Republic the closure was “purely a business decision.”

Josh Kern, chief experience officer of the brewery’s parent company CraftWorks Holdings, wrote in an email to The Republic that the closure of the Tempe restaurant was “purely a business decision” while the company focuses on other locations.

“We continue to be optimistic about the future of Gordon Biersch and are pleased with recent progress made on several growth initiatives that we believe should have a meaningful impact on our business,” Kern wrote.

Gordon Biersch in Scottsdale shut its doors this past April, and the Republic noted that the restaurant chain’s San Diego location also is slated to close its doors in the coming weeks.

The Tempe Gordon Biersch operated for 21 years. It opened in July 1998 at the northwest corner of Fifth Street and Mill in Tempe.

Gordon Biersch restaurants in Gilbert and Glendale remain open and are not expected to close anytime soon, per the Republic.

Parent company CraftWorks Holdings also operates restaurant concept such as Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom, Logan’s Roadhouse and Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery.

While the Valley’s restaurant scene is generally strong and growing, the region has experienced a handful of significant closures in recent months. A trio of concepts all owned by Phoenix-based Glass Half Full Hospitality shut down this spring because of financial woes. This month, popular Scottsdale restaurant Pig & Pickle also closed its doors after almost seven years in business.

Article Written by Tim Gallen Phoenix Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2019/07/15/gordon-biersch-brewery-closes-another-valley.html

Photo Courtesy of Phoenix Business Journal